Enclosure for pairing a plurality of wireless devices

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of an invention for pairing a plurality of wireless devices using wireless communications is disclosed. A method for pairing a plurality of devices comprises attenuating a pairing signal emitted from a wireless device within a pairing enclosure during a pairing procedure. A power level of the pairing signal that is emitted through the pairing enclosure is received at a pairing signal receiver. The pairing procedure is permitted to continue when the power level of the pairing signal is less than a predetermined power level.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/036,738 filed Jul. 16, 2018 which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/470,228 filed Mar. 27, 2017 which is acontinuation of Ser. No. 14/801,687 filed Jul. 16, 2015 which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/486,835, filed Sep.15, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/086,291, filed Apr. 13, 2011, which claims the benefit under 35U.S.C.§ 119(e) of a U.S. Provisional application filed on Apr. 13, 2010in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and assigned Ser. No.61/323,791, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND

The use of electronic devices that can communicate wirelessly is quicklybecoming ubiquitous in society. For example, it is a common practice indaily life to use mobile phones, portable computing devices, wirelessheadsets and ear pieces, wireless connections of electronic devices withautomobiles, the internet, and other types of computing devices havingwireless communication abilities. A wide variety of wireless standardsfor wireless communications have been developed including Bluetooth®,Zigbee, Wibree, GPRS, IEEE 802.11, 802.15 and 802.16, and so forth.

Sending information using wireless communications means, such as thoselisted above, can provide significant security risks. As the data istransmitted into free space, it becomes available for any party toreceive. Reducing the risk of sending the data to an unwanted party canbe accomplished using a number of techniques. One technique to reducethe risk of sending the data to unwanted groups or individuals is toencrypt the data. Wireless data encryption standards include the WiredEquivalent Privacy (WEP) standard and the Wi-Fi protected access (WPA)standard. Another technique used to protect transmitted data is throughthe use of an electronic handshake between two wireless devices. Thehandshake is also commonly referred to as pairing.

While data transmitted with wireless devices can be protected throughthe use of encryption and pairing, the devices can be at their mostvulnerable when the encryption process and/or pairing is conducted.Pairing and encryption are typically accomplished by the transfer ofencryption keys. As the encryption keys and other necessary informationare communicated between the wireless devices, this information may beintercepted by an undesired party. Once the undesired party has accessto the pairing and/or encryption information, they may continue tointercept wireless communications from users that the user believes isbeing communicated over a secure wireless link.

One method to enable secure communication between wireless devices is torequire that encryption and pairing protocols are communicated over asecure link, such as a wired or fiber optic link between the twodevices. However, this can be impractical based on the design of thewireless devices, and the amount of time it takes to physically connectthe devices to the wired or fiber optic link. For persons havingmultiple devices, the time it takes to physically connect the devicesand exchange encryption information can significantly reduce thebenefits of using wireless devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedetailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example,features of the invention; and, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for securely pairing a pluralityof wireless devices using wireless communication in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a walkable pairing enclosure for securely pairing aplurality of wireless devices using wireless communication in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 depicts a method for securely pairing a plurality of wirelessdevices in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, andspecific language will be used herein to describe the same. It willnevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to beunderstood that this invention is not limited to the particularstructures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but isextended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by thoseordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understoodthat terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

It should be understood that many of the functional units described inthis specification have been labeled as modules, in order to moreparticularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, amodule may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom VLSIcircuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logicchips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also beimplemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmablegate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, orthe like.

Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by varioustypes of processors. An identified module of executable code may, forinstance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computerinstructions, which may, for instance, be organized as an object,procedure, or function.

Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not bephysically located together, but may comprise disparate instructionsstored in different locations which, when joined logically together,comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.

Indeed, a module of executable code may be a single instruction, or manyinstructions, and may even be distributed over several different codesegments, among different programs, and across several memory devices.

Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated hereinwithin modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organizedwithin any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may becollected as a single data set, or may be distributed over differentlocations including over different storage devices, and may exist, atleast partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network.The modules may be passive or active, including agents operable toperform desired functions.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearancesof the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in variousplaces throughout this specification are not necessarily all referringto the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are provided, such asexamples of materials, fasteners, sizes, lengths, widths, shapes, etc.,to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. Oneskilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the inventioncan be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or withother methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The ability to send secure command, control, and communicationinformation using wireless devices has revolutionized the world. FromMain Street to the military, the use of wireless devices has increasedefficiency and made peoples lives more convenient and businesses moreprofitable.

The number of wireless links used by the armed forces has increaseddramatically. For example, military personnel may have a wide number ofwireless devices that are used each day in combat and support missions,including radios, microphones, head sets or ear pieces, GPS receivers,digital gun locks, and so forth. Wireless devices can be used for shortdistance communication in personal area networks (PANs) or forrelatively long distance communication using high powered wirelessradios.

Wireless devices typically communicate by modulating data on radiofrequency waves and transmitting those waves. However, other types ofcommunication are also possible, such as through the use of near fieldmagnetic induction, wherein data is modulated on a magnetic field andcommunicated to nearby devices within the magnetic field.

Secure communication using these devices, whether on Wall Street or on abattle field, can provide significant advantages. Encryption istypically used to considerably reduce the risk of the transmitted databeing intercepted and used by anyone other than the intended party.

The implementation of encryption in wireless devices typically involvesloading and sharing encryption keys into each secure wireless device. Inthe military, a new encryption key may be used each day. A differentencryption key may even be used for different missions on the same day.Transmitting the encryption keys to the wireless devices using awireless transmission means can be very risky, as it may enableundesired individuals or groups to obtain the encryption key. One way tolimit the transmission of unwanted information during the pairingprocess is through direct, wired communication.

However, the time it takes for a person to physically connect his or hermultiple wireless devices to a wired system to obtain an encryption keyfor each device can be burdensome. For example, a soldier operating in acombat field may not have the time to connect each wireless device intimes of emergency.

A wireless device that has not been paired to receive an updatedencryption key may not be capable of communicating; thereby renderingthe device useless and reducing the technological advantage the wirelessdevice created for the military personnel.

In order to enable a person having multiple wireless devices to pair thedevices or otherwise provide a form of encryption for a datatransmission from the devices using wireless communication, whileminimizing the risk of transmitting critical information such as anencryption key to undesired parties, a system and method for securelypairing a plurality of wireless devices using wireless communication isdisclosed.

The term “pairing”, as used herein, is intended to mean the sharing ofinformation between wireless devices which is used to increase thesecurity of communication between two or more devices. This may includethe transmission of one or more public or private encryption keysbetween the wireless devices. Additional information to increasecommunication security can also be shared, such as transmissionfrequency, data channel, pseudorandom noise (PN) code, modulationscheme, and so forth. In addition, multiple devices can be “paired” toenable each device to communicate using a designated encryption or othertype of security measure. The pairing process can usually be initiatedby entering a specific key combination in wireless devices to instructthe pairing process to take place between two or more devices. Any typeof process used to enable two or more wireless communication devices tosecurely share wirelessly transmitted data can be used with the systemsand methods disclosed herein.

In one example embodiment, a person can place his or her multiplewireless devices in a pairing enclosure. The pairing enclosure can betested, on a periodic basis, or every time it is used, to verify thatthe enclosure substantially attenuates wireless signals transmitted bythe multiple wireless devices. Once a successful test has beenperformed, the multiple wireless devices can be paired within thepairing enclosure. This enables the pairing process to be completedwirelessly, without the need to connect each wireless device to a wiredsystem. By substantially attenuating the signals, the risk of anunwanted party being able to receive the signals that are transmittedduring the pairing process is largely eliminated.

One exemplary system 100 for securely pairing a plurality of wirelessdevices 126 using wireless communication is illustrated in FIG. 1. Thesystem is comprised of a pairing enclosure 102 having a layer ofconductive material 106 forming a Faraday cage to substantiallyattenuate a radio frequency signal emitted within the pairing enclosure.The pairing enclosure can be sized based on the size and number ofwireless devices 126 that are placed within the enclosure. In oneembodiment, the enclosure 102 may be relatively small, such as the sizeof a book or lunchbox. A user can place several small wireless devicesin the enclosure to allow the items to be securely paired.Alternatively, the pairing enclosure can be relatively large, such as aroom or tent in which one or more persons can enter to allow thewireless devices on their person to be paired. This will be discussedmore fully below.

In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the wireless devices126 are represented by cylinders. The cylinders are intended torepresent any type of wireless device that is configured to communicatewith another device through secure wireless communications and needs tocommunicate with at least one other device to share an encryption key orother security information to enable two or more wireless communicationsdevices to securely share wirelessly transmitted data.

In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the layer of conductivematerial 106 is shown located on the outer walls of the interior area ofthe pairing enclosure 102. However, the conductive layer may also belocated on the outer walls of the exterior of the enclosure, or withinthe walls of the enclosure. More than one layer of conductive materialmay be provided to minimize radio frequency signal leakage from theenclosure. The conductive layer can be substantially continuousthroughout the surfaces of the enclosure to minimize the leakage ofradio waves from the enclosure.

A lid 110, configured to fit over an open end of the pairing enclosure102, also includes a layer of conductive material 106. When the lid isclosed, the layers of conductive material located on, or within eachwall of the enclosure act to form a Faraday cage. A flexible metallizedseal 114 can also be included to minimize any gaps that may occurbetween the lid 110 and the enclosure 102 when the lid is shut. Alatching mechanism 118 can be used to provide a relatively tight sealbetween the lid and the enclosure when the lid is shut. The latchingmechanism 118 shown in FIG. 1 is for exemplary purposes only. Any typeof latching mechanism operable to keep the lid 110 in contact with thebody of the enclosure 102 can be used.

The layer of conductive material 106 can be formed of a solid materialsuch as a metal foil, or a mesh material such as a metallic screen. Thesize of the holes in the mesh material can be selected to have a majordimension that is less than a wavelength of the radio frequency (RF)signals emitted by the wireless devices during the pairing process. Themajor dimension of the holes in the mesh material will typically be atleast one half of the wavelength of the RF signals emitted by thewireless devices.

The layer of conductive material 106 will typically be formed using asubstantially conductive metal such as silver, copper, aluminum, orgold. It is also possible to use other types of conductive materials,such as metallized plastic or paper products, conductive carbonmaterials, or doped semiconductors. Any type of material may be used toform a layer of conductive material that is sufficiently conductive thatit provides a desired level of attenuation of the radio frequencysignals emitted by the wireless devices placed within the enclosure 102.

The system 100 further comprises a test signal transmitter 122 locatedwithin the pairing enclosure 102. The test signal transmitter is a radiofrequency transmitter configured to transmit a test pairing signal. Thetest pairing signal may be a simple, single frequency tone emitted at apower level and frequency that is substantially similar to the frequencyat which pairing of the wireless devices takes place.

The test pairing signal emitted by the test transmitter 122 may also bea more complex signal, such as a signal comprising a plurality offrequencies and power levels. The test signal may also simulate themodulation scheme used by the wireless devices. Complex modulationschemes, such as those used by digital wireless devices to transmitdata, can create many unintended frequency components. By simulating themodulation scheme, the pairing enclosure can be tested more thoroughlyto verify that no radio frequency signals of consequence escape theenclosure with an undesired power level during the pairing process.

The system 100 further comprises a test signal receiver 130 locatedexternal to the pairing enclosure 102. For example, FIG. 1 shows thetest signal receiver coupled to the pairing enclosure. The test signalreceiver can also be located a selected distance from the pairingenclosure. Measurements can be made to determine an optimal placementfor the test signal receiver relative to the pairing enclosure toreceive the test pairing signal emitted by the test signal transmitter122.

The test signal receiver 130 is configured to detect a power level ofthe test pairing signal emitted by the test signal transmitter 122 fromwithin the pairing enclosure 102. When the power level of the testpairing signal, as measured by the test signal receiver, is less than apredetermined power level, then the plurality of wireless devices can bepaired within the pairing enclosure.

For example, the plurality of wireless devices 126 may be configured totransmit a code division multiple access (CDMA) signal with quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM) at a center frequency of 2.45 GHz and abandwidth of 500 KHz with a power level of 0 dBm (the power ratio indecibels (dB) of the measured power referenced to one milliwatt). In oneembodiment, the test signal transmitter can be configured to transmit asingle frequency tone at a power level of 0 dBm and at a frequency of2.45 GHz. Alternatively, the test signal transmitter can be configuredto transmit a CDMA signal having QAM at a center frequency of 2.45 GHzand a bandwidth of 500 KHz to simulate the more complex signaltransmitted by the wireless devices.

In addition, the test pairing signal may be transmitted with a greaterpower level than the wireless devices 126 typically transmit at whenpairing. For example, the test pairing signal may be transmitted at apower level of 3 dBm when the wireless devices transmit a 0 dBm signalwhen pairing. The higher power test signal can provide added assurancethat the signals transmitted by the wireless devices when pairing willnot be detected by unwanted parties.

In one embodiment, the test signal transmitter 122 can be configured totransmit a test pairing signal that is a spread spectrum signal toreduce potential interference with environmental noise. If a test with astandard test pairing signal continually fails, a user can switch thetest signal transmitter to output the spread spectrum test pairingsignal to reduce the effects of the environmental noise. The test signalreceiver 130 can be configured to receive the spread spectrum testpairing signal and despread the signal to minimize the effects of theenvironmental noise.

The test signal receiver 130 is configured to receive the test signaltransmitted by the test signal transmitter 122 and to analyze thesignal. The test signal receiver can verify that the power level of thetest pairing signal at the test signal receiver is less than apredetermined level. For example, a threshold level of −60 dB ofattenuation may be desired. If the test pairing signal is measured atthe test signal receiver to have a maximum power that is less than −60dBm, then the test signal receiver can indicate that the pairingenclosure is properly sealed.

The actual threshold level is dependent on the power output of thedevices being paired. For example, high power radios having an output of+30 dBm may require a reduction in power of 90 dB to −60 dBm. Thepairing enclosure 102 can be configured to provide a desired amount ofattenuation. Multiple layers of the conductive material may be used tofurther increase the power level drop between the inside and outside ofthe pairing enclosure for enclosures designed to work with high powerwireless devices.

Once the test signal receiver 130 indicates that the pairing enclosure102 is properly sealed, the wireless devices 126 can be paired withinthe pairing enclosure. An indicator 134 on the test signal receiver maybe used to show when the pairing enclosure is properly sealed based onthe measured power level. The indicator can also be used to show whenpairing has been successfully completed. The indicator may also belocated on the pairing enclosure 102. In one embodiment, the pairingenclosure may have an electrically activated lock to ensure that the lid110 cannot be opened when pairing of wireless devices is taking place.

In another embodiment, a window 138 may be included in the pairingenclosure 102 to enable the wireless devices 126 to be viewed. Manytypes of wireless devices are configured to provide visual indicatorsrelated to the operation of the device. For example, a wireless devicemay have an indicator LED light that blinks 3 times if pairing failedfor a selected reason. The indicator light may turn on for a selectedtime period, such as 2 seconds, if pairing is successful. By placing awindow in the pairing enclosure it can be easier to debug any problemsthat may occur with the wireless devices in the pairing process. A usercan also determine when pairing has been successfully completed.

A layer of conductive material 146, such as a wire mesh, can be adheredto the window 138 to provide the attenuation of the pairing signals. Theconductive material 146 may be the same or different than the conductivematerial 106. For example, a solid foil may be applied to the surfacesof the pairing enclosure while a mesh screen may be applied to thewindow to allow a user to view the wireless devices 126 in the pairingenclosure 102 when the enclosure is sealed.

The transmitter 122 and receiver 130 can be in communication with eachother to enable feedback from the test. For example, in one embodimentthe test signal receiver can indicate that a test is successful onlywhen a notification signal is first received from the test signaltransmitter containing information that a test pairing signal has beensent. The connection may be wired or wireless. A wired connectionbetween the transmitter and receiver may be most beneficial so that thelayer of conductive material 106 does not interfere with the connection.When the notification signal is received, and the test pairing signal ismeasured at the receiver as having a power level less than thethreshold, then an indicator can show that the test is successful. Ifthere is no communication between the transmitter and receiver, it maybe difficult to determine at the receiver whether a test pairing signalwas sent. This is especially true when substantially low power signalsare measured, or when electronic noise is present that may be picked upby the receiver. In addition, the test signal transmitter can alsoinclude an indicator 124 that may be viewed through the window 138 toverify that the transmitter is sending a test pairing signal.

In another embodiment, one of the wireless devices 126 can be used asthe test signal transmitter. A user can activate one or more wirelessdevices to send a test signal. The test signal may be a specific signal,or an actual pairing signal sent with an incorrect code or cryptographyalgorithm. When the lid on the pairing enclosure 102 is closed andsealed, a measurement can be made at the test signal receiver 130 todetermine if the test pairing signal is less than the threshold. If so,the user can pair all of his or her devices using a desired code orcryptography algorithm. Using one of the wireless devices 126 to sendthe test pairing signal can significantly reduce the complexity of thesystem since there is no need to replicate a signal of the wirelessdevice. This is especially true of high power signals, or wherein thesystem is used to pair a plurality of different kinds of wirelessdevices that operate at different powers and frequencies.

In one embodiment, the test signal receiver 130 can continue to operateand measure any signals leaking from the pairing enclosure 102 duringthe pairing process of the wireless devices 126. If a signal is measuredthat is significantly greater than the threshold power level, such as asignal that is 12 dB greater than the maximum allowable power output, aradio frequency noise generator can be operated at a relatively highpower to mask the signals leaking from the pairing enclosure 102. Thenoise generator can be configured to operate at a similar frequency andbandwidth as the wireless devices 126.

In another example embodiment, a user can place his or her wirelessdevices 126 that need to be paired into the pairing enclosure 102, closethe lid 110 and seal the enclosure with the latching mechanism 118. Theuser can activate a button 142 that may be located on the test signalreceiver 130 or the enclosure 102. The button can activate an automatictest sequence in which the test signal transmitter 122 transmits a testpairing signal. The test signal receiver can attempt to receive the testsignal based on one or more of the selected frequency, bandwidth, powerrange, and modulation scheme. If no signal is received, or the signalthat is received is less than the threshold power level, then pairing ofthe wireless devices can take place.

In one embodiment, pairing of the wireless devices 126 in the pairingenclosure 102 can be accomplished by setting each desired wirelessdevice, prior to shutting the lid 110, to pair within a predeterminedtime period, such as after one minute. The pairing enclosure can then betested, as previously described. Such testing may be accomplished in apredetermined time period, such as within 15-30 seconds depending on thepower level to be detected by the test signal receiver 130. If the testsignal receiver indicates a failure, then the pairing of the wirelessdevices can be cancelled. If the test signal receiver indicates asuccessful test, then pairing can be allowed to proceed.

Alternatively, the wireless devices 126 can be configured to receive awireless signal from the test signal transmitter 122 to conduct pairing.This signal will then only be sent after a successful test is reportedby the test signal receiver 130 to the test signal transmitter. The testsignal transmitter will then send a signal to the wireless deviceslocated within the sealed pairing enclosure 102. Completion of pairingcan be determined based on visual indicators on the wireless devices 126as seen through a window 138, based on an indicator 134 viewable outsidethe enclosure 102, or after a selected period of time has passed.

In one embodiment, the plurality of wireless devices 126 can be insertedinto the enclosure while attached to an object. For example, a soldieroperating in a battlefield may have a plurality of wireless devicesattached to his or her vest and helmet. The soldier may place the vestand helmet into the enclosure 102 and proceed to pair the electronicdevices within the enclosure, as discussed above, while they are stillattached.

FIG. 2 shows an example embodiment illustration of a pairing enclosure202 having a greater size than the pairing enclosure 102 shown inFIG. 1. In this example embodiment, a person can walk into the enclosure202 with the plurality of wireless devices attached. For instance, aperson is shown wearing a wireless radio 204 and wireless headset 206.Similarly, a soldier having multiple wireless devices, such as a radio,headset, GPS receiver, wireless trigger lock, and so forth can enter thepairing enclosure 202 to pair the wireless devices.

The pairing enclosure 202 shown in the example embodiment of FIG. 2 canoperate in the same fashion as the smaller pairing enclosure 102. Thepairing enclosure 202 can include a layer of conductive material forminga Faraday shield to substantially attenuate a radio frequency signalemitted within the pairing enclosure. The layer of conductive materialcan be located on an inside of each surface, an outside of each surface,or somewhere in between.

Multiple layers of conductive material can also be used to increase theamount of attenuation of a signal passing through a surface of theenclosure. A door 208 enables a person to enter the pairing enclosure.The door includes at least one layer of the conductive material. Ametalized seal, similar to the seal 114 in FIG. 1, can be placed near aperimeter of the door and act as weather stripping that can minimizeradio frequency leakage from any openings between the door and theenclosure 202. A test signal transmitter similar to the transmitter 122is located within the pairing enclosure and configured to transmit atest pairing signal.

A test signal receiver 230 is located external to the pairing enclosureand configured to detect a power level of the test pairing signalemitted within the pairing enclosure. The test signal receiver iscoupled to the test signal transmitter. In one embodiment, the testsignal receiver can send a signal to the test signal transmitter whenthe test pairing signal is determined to be less than a predeterminedlevel. The test signal transmitter can then send a signal to thewireless devices instructing the devices that the pairing process canbegin.

Alternatively, the test signal receiver can send a signal when the testpairing signal is determined to be less than a predetermined level. Thesignal can light an indicator (not shown) within the pairing enclosure202, indicating to the person within the enclosure that the pairingprocess can begin. The person can then manually perform the pairingprocess on his or her wireless devices once the indicator shows that thepairing enclosure is properly sealed.

While a rectangular shaped pairing enclosure 202 is shown in FIG. 2, theshape of the enclosure is not important. Any shape of enclosure thatprovides sufficient attenuation of a pairing signal produced by awireless device can be used. For example, a pairing enclosure may beformed with two circular frames having a conductive mesh screenconnected to the circular frames so as to surround the top, bottom, andsides of the frames.

Additional types of pairing enclosures can also be constructed toprovide an enclosure in which multiple wireless devices can be pairedwhile minimizing transmission of the pairing signal. For example, apairing enclosure may be constructed in the form of a converted vehicleholding room, any walkable enclosure (i.e. an enclosure large enough fora person to walk into), a box, a dome, a sphere, a tent, a teepee, aponcho, an overcoat and so forth. In each case, the pairing enclosureincludes a layer of conductive material forming a Faraday shield (i.e.Faraday cage) to substantially attenuate a radio frequency signalemitted within the pairing enclosure.

When the pairing enclosure is wearable, such as the poncho, theenclosure is designed to substantially enclose at least a portion of theperson wearing it. For example, the poncho can have a substantially snugfit around a person's neck, and a flap at the bottom of the poncho thatcan be secured around a person's legs. The poncho includes at least onelayer of the conductive material. Once the poncho is secured on aperson, the person can first send a test pairing signal. A test signalreceiver located outside the poncho can be used to determine whether thetest pairing signal is received that is greater than the predeterminedthreshold, as previously discussed. If the test pairing signal isgreater, then the top and bottom of the poncho can be checked and bettersecured on the person. The test can then be repeated until the testpairing signal at the test signal receiver is less than thepredetermined level.

The person can then proceed to pair the plurality of wireless devices onthe person that are located within the poncho.

In another embodiment, a method for pairing a plurality of wirelessdevices is disclosed, as depicted in the flow chart of FIG. 3. Themethod comprises the operation of placing 310 the plurality of wirelessdevices in a pairing enclosure. The pairing enclosure includes a layerof conductive material to substantially attenuate a radio frequencysignal emitted within the pairing enclosure. A test pairing signal istransmitted 320 from a test signal transmitter located within thepairing enclosure. The test pairing signal is received 330 at a testsignal receiver located external to the pairing enclosure. The testsignal receiver is configured to detect a power level of the testpairing signal. Pairing information is then transmitted 340 to theplurality of wireless devices in the pairing enclosure when the powerlevel of the test pairing signal at the test signal receiver is lessthan a predetermined level.

The use of wireless devices can substantially increase efficiencies andprovides many conveniences. However, the information transmitted bywireless devices is typically desired to remain private. To enableprivate transmission of wireless data, encryption and pairing processescan be used. When encryption and pairing information are shared betweenwireless devices, they are typically at their most vulnerable. To enablewireless pairing to take place between multiple wireless devices, whileminimizing the detection of the pairing scheme, a pairing enclosure canbe used as described above.

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of thepresent invention in one or more particular applications, it will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be madewithout the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing fromthe principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is notintended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims setforth below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for securely pairing a wireless device,comprising: attenuating a pairing signal emitted from the wirelessdevice within a pairing enclosure during a pairing procedure; detectinga power level of the pairing signal that is emitted through the pairingenclosure and received at a pairing signal receiver; and permitting thepairing procedure to continue when the power level of the pairing signalis less than a predetermined power level; or terminating the pairingprocedure when the power level of the pairing signal is greater than thepredetermined power level.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pairingsignal is attenuated using at least one shielding layer of the pairingenclosure, wherein the shielding layer is comprised of a radio frequencyshielding material or a magnetic field shielding material.
 3. The methodof claim 1, further comprising transmitting a test pairing signal from atest signal transmitter through the pairing enclosure to enable thepairing signal receiver to determine an amount of attenuation of thetest pairing signal.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the test signaltransmitter is located at one of internal to the pairing enclosure orexternal to the pairing enclosure and the pairing signal receiver islocated at one of external to the pairing enclosure or internal to thepairing enclosure.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the test pairingsignal is transmitted as at least one of: a single frequency, aplurality of frequencies, or a modulated signal to determine an amountof attenuation provided by the pairing enclosure.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein the pairing enclosure includes a pairing transceiverconfigured to transmit pairing information to the wireless device duringthe paring procedure, wherein the pairing information is selected fromthe group consisting of a public encryption key, a private encryptionkey, a transmission frequency, a data channel, a pairing identificationnumber, a pseudorandom noise (PN) code, a modulation scheme, a frequencyhopping schedule, a software update, and a firmware update.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the pairing signal is a radio frequencysignal or a near field magnetic induction signal.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein the pairing enclosure is an enclosure selected from the groupconsisting of a vehicle holding room, a walkable enclosure, a box, adome, a sphere, a tent, a teepee, a poncho, and an overcoat.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the pairing enclosure is a portableenvironment configured to enable a person to walk into.
 10. The methodof claim 1, wherein the pairing enclosure is an enclosure with a lidthat has a sufficient size to contain a plurality of the wirelessdevices.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the pairing enclosure iswearable by a person.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprisingtransmitting a noise signal to mask the pairing signal transmitted inthe pairing enclosure, wherein the noise source is transmitted when thepairing signal is measured by the pairing signal receiver to be greaterthan a predetermined power level.
 13. A method for pairing a wirelessdevice, comprising: placing the wireless device in a pairing enclosure,wherein the pairing enclosure includes a shielding layer tosubstantially attenuate a pairing signal emitted within the pairingenclosure during a pairing procedure; receiving the pairing signaltransmitted through the pairing enclosure at a pairing signal receiverconfigured to detect a power level of the pairing signal; and permittingthe pairing procedure to continue based on the power level of thepairing signal that is detected by the pairing signal receiver; orterminating the pairing procedure based on the power level of thepairing signal that is detected by the pairing signal receiver, whereinthe pairing procedure includes pairing the wireless device in thepairing enclosure to a secondary device inside the pairing enclosure.14. The method of claim 13, further comprising transmitting a testpairing signal from a test signal transmitter through the pairingenclosure to the pairing signal receiver to test an amount ofattenuation of the test pairing signal.
 15. The method of claim 13,further comprising transmitting pairing information to the wirelessdevice in the pairing enclosure when the power level of the pairingsignal at the pairing signal receiver is less than a predetermined powerlevel.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the pairing information isselected from the group consisting of a public encryption key, a privateencryption key, a transmission frequency, a data channel, a pairingidentification number, a pseudorandom noise (PN) code, a modulationscheme, a frequency hopping schedule, a software update, and a firmwareupdate.
 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying avisual indication to enable a user to determine that the pairingprocedure is permitted or terminated based on the power level of thepairing signal that is detected by the pairing signal receiver.
 18. Asystem for securely pairing a plurality of wireless devices, the systemcomprising: a pairing enclosure having a shielding layer tosubstantially attenuate a pairing signal emitted within the pairingenclosure during a pairing procedure; a pairing signal receiverconfigured to detect a power level of the pairing signal emitted withinthe pairing enclosure during the pairing procedure; and a test signaltransmitter configured to transmit a test pairing signal through thepairing enclosure to the pairing signal receiver;
 19. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the test signal transmitter is located external to thepairing enclosure and the pairing signal receiver is located external tothe pairing enclosure, respectively, to enable the pairing signalreceiver to detect a power level of the test pairing signal transmittedby the test signal transmitter after the test pairing signal travelsthrough the pairing enclosure
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein thetest signal transmitter is electrically connected to the pairing signalreceiver and an indicator indicates one of a successful test or anunsuccessful test based on the power level of the test pairing signal.